TEXAS: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers are already hurting significantly even before the start of a new season.
In a span of three days the week before opening day, the Rangers scratched ace Yu Darvish from that scheduled start because of neck stiffness, and found out they would be without second baseman Jurickson Profar and catcher Geovany Soto for 10 to 12 weeks each because of injuries.
Sure, the Rangers know there are going to be injuries during the season.
''We just didn't expect it to be all at this point,'' general manager Jon Daniels said.
The Rangers, after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in four seasons, already knew they would be missing lefty starters Matt Harrison and Derek Holland to start the season.
At least Harrison, who had a mild setback early in camp after his back issues last season, should return within the first month. Holland could miss at least half the season because of left knee surgery after being tripped by his dog on stairs in his home in January.
The only three position players remaining from the Rangers' last World Series in 2011 also missed games this spring with lesser nagging issues. But shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and designated hitter Mitch Moreland should all be in the lineup Monday against Philadelphia.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years and scoring their fewest runs (730) in a full season since 1992, the Rangers' two most significant offseason moves were to improve their offense.
They got durable slugger Prince Fielder from Detroit by trading Ian Kinsler, a move that cleared the way Profar to be an everyday player. Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was signed to a seven-year deal - the same time left on Fielder's contract - to take over the leadoff spot.
Only Mike Trout (564) and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (562) reached base more the past two season than Choo (556) and Fielder (542), who has the longest active streak in the majors playing in 505 consecutive regular-season games - and 809 of 810 the past five years.
''I just want Prince to be Prince,'' said manager Ron Washington, starting his eighth season in Texas. ''I just want him to do what he does, and let everyone else does what they do, and everything will work out.''

BOSTON: BOSTON (AP) - Last season was one to remember for fans of the Red Sox - and one to forget for the players.
Soon after Boston's third World Series championship in 10 years, that bearded bunch decided to put it behind them and focus on what they must do to keep winning.
''It was a dream come true last year,'' pitcher Jake Peavy said. ''It's a new year. I think that's been a slogan of ours on the text messages that we've been exchanging with the guys, `Hey turn the page, it's a new year, it's 2014.' We haven't done anything and, obviously, some teams in our division got awfully better.''
The Red Sox won't be sneaking up on them, not after rebounding from a 69-93, last-place finish in the AL East to a 97-65 record, a 28-win improvement.
''You've got the bull's-eye on your back,'' second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. ''You want to get everybody's best, so I think it's going to be a fun challenge for everybody.''
John Farrell's disciplined, businesslike approach worked in his first year as Boston's manager. That, and the influx of players to improve the toxic clubhouse chemistry, made the one season under the animated Bobby Valentine seem like a distant memory.
Those players, including Jonny Gomes, Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino, return. The Red Sox lost center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the New York Yankees then signed Grady Sizemore as a possible replacement. Sizemore missed the last two seasons with knee and back injuries that required surgery but has had a healthy, productive spring training.
''In this group, no one's going to let anybody sit back and relax,'' Pedroia said. ''We're always going to push each other and make sure that we're respecting the game and playing the game the right way. If we do that, we should be all right.''

John Lackey has had more trouble against the Texas Rangers in his 12-year career than any other opponent.

He didn't have many issues in his first start of 2014.

With Boston's offense in a rut, Lackey will need to improve his performance against Texas on Monday night when the Red Sox and Rangers begin a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Boston (2-4) was outscored 17-8 while dropping all three games over the weekend against Milwaukee, the first time it was swept at home in a three-game series since Sept. 7--9, 2012.

The Red Sox went 3 for 19 with runners in scoring position in the series and are just 6 for 44 (.136) in such situations over their first six games.

"We've had a difficult time bunching hits together," manager John Farrell said. "We're doing our (best), I know that, to try to build an inning, to try to hit to the situation. At some point, you credit the quality of pitches made in key spots by the opposing pitcher."

One of the biggest culprits has been outfielder Daniel Nava, who is 3 for 26 overall and 1 for 13 in the leadoff spot after hitting there for a third time Sunday.

To make matters worse, the Red Sox placed third baseman Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right calf.

"Obviously things can change quickly," Nava said. "You can say, `You didn't lose four in a row, but four can turn into 12. (The) 2012 (season) didn't have anything to do with 2013, so one season doesn't mean anything to the next."

Lackey would like to believe his 2013 improvement will carry over after lowering his ERA nearly three runs from his disastrous pre-Tommy John surgery season in 2011. He made a pretty convincing argument it will in his first start, holding Baltimore to a two-run homer and two others hits through six innings in Wednesday's 6-2 win.

"I was very pleased for the first time. It felt pretty good. It's something I can keep building on," Lackey said.

He's rarely felt good after a start against the Rangers (3-3), going 12-15 with a 6.01 ERA that's easily his worst against any club he's faced multiple times.

Lackey did, however, fare well the last time he saw Texas, allowing a homer to Adrian Beltre and four other hits over six innings June 5 at Fenway.

Texas counters with Tanner Scheppers, who will make his second career start after being roughed up on Opening Day. The right-hander allowed seven runs, eight hits and three walks over just four innings against Philadelphia.

"I was extremely disappointed. You bear down there. My pitches were around the zone," Scheppers said. "I was just trying to be too fine with everything, trying to hit corners. Unfortunately, I put the guys in a big hole."

Scheppers has five career appearances versus Boston, allowing three hits and one run in five innings of relief.

The Rangers were on the verge of being swept over the weekend as well, but Elvis Andrus' two-run homer in the eighth inning Sunday broke a scoreless tie as Texas went on to win 3-0.